FIRST Community Blog

Volunteer Registration & Volunteer Trainings

FIRST Robotics Competition Staff — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:53:39 GMT

We are happy to share that Volunteer Registration is now open for all FIRST^® Robotics Competition Events, including the 2027 FIRST^® Championship! We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: FIRST runs on volunteers and we’re so thankful for all that they do.
If you have extra parents, mentors, or students coming to an event with you, consider asking if they are interested in volunteering at the event. We have roles available that require multiple-day commitments and also have roles available where additional help is needed for just a few hours. Check out the Volunteer Role Descriptions for more details.

To apply to an event, click the “register to volunteer for this event” from any individual event frc-events webpage to bring you direct to the volunteer registration page for that event, or you can find events through the FIRST Dashboard. More details on the application process can be found in this help article.

Youth Protection Program Clearance

Earlier this year, we shared some updates to the FIRST Youth Protection. These changes also apply to event volunteers so want to put a reminder in this blog.

All event volunteers are required to obtain Youth Protection Program (YPP) Clearance. YPP Clearance includes completion of applicable YPP screening requirements, annual FIRST YPP training (through FIRST Training), and acknowledgment of FIRST YPP policies. FIRST Youth Protection screening requirements apply to participants in applicable roles in the United States and Canada. FIRST expects Youth Protection standards to be applied internationally in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.

We also want to note that the current FIRST YPP training is being updated and we expect to release a refreshed version of the training by the end of December 2026. Anyone who has already completed the existing FIRST YPP training for the 2026-2027 season will be credited for completing the annual training and will not be required to complete the new version this season.

Volunteer Training

We also want to share a bit about some new volunteer trainings that are available this season through FIRST Training. Folks at FIRST worked to create some foundational training for some select roles, and these trainings are cross-program for both FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST^® Tech Challenge. These trainings can be found in the FIRST Training platform by searching “at a glance.” The intent of these trainings is to provide newer folks to FIRST a basic understanding of the role and each training only needs to be completed one time (rather than yearly). These trainings are short, brief overviews and roles will have additional training either on site or via a separate program-specific volunteer training. FIRST also leveraged this opportunity to put a bit more content into a few roles so we can provide this basic information one time and not have volunteers have to read the same content for each program every year in the program-specific trainings that are available. Some of these trainings will be required for specific roles in FIRST Robotics Competition this season while others will be optional.

In addition, we are currently starting work on the role specific volunteer trainings. Just like last season, all of these trainings will be available in FIRST Training so anyone can access them if interested. These trainings will be released as they are finalized with the intent that all trainings are available a few weeks before events begin.

2027 Event & Robot Rule Preview - Part 2

FIRST Robotics Competition Staff — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:18:04 GMT

We’re back with part 2 of the event and robot rules preview. As mentioned in part 1, the rules are not yet finalized, and the purpose of these blogs is to communicate the rough draft of rule changes we think are most likely to affect team purchasing decisions prior to the season. Teams should read the Game Manual carefully after the 2027 FIRST^® Robotics Competition Kickoff to understand the details of all changes.

Rules changes

Some additional rule changes not covered in part 1:

Relays will be removed from the approved power regulating devices. Systemcore is not designed to trigger relays. Pneumatics use should migrate to dedicated pneumatics control devices and other use should migrate to motor controllers or pneumatics controllers.
Systemcore is not designed to power servos directly. In addition to the previously legal REV Servo Hub and REV Servo Power Module, the GoBilda 6V Servo Power Injector (3125-0001-0001) and Studica Servo Power Block (75006) will be added as legal methods of powering servos.
The 2027 equivalent of R623 will be rewritten to clarify that COTS connectors must be used for circuits other than SIGNAL LEVEL or CUSTOM CIRCUITS. In other words, custom PCB connections are prohibited on all motor circuits.

New Legal Devices

The following new devices will be approved for use in the 2026-2027 season:

Andymark Koors40 CAN

The Koors40 CAN from AndyMark builds on the original Koors40 brushed motor controller by adding CAN control while retaining standard and extended range PWM input. Built-in overcurrent and temperature protection help keep the controller running reliably in demanding applications, while CAN connectivity gives teams additional control and integration options. You can learn more about the device on the AndyMark product page.

Littelfuse 120 Amp Circuit Breaker

The Littelfuse 120 Amp Circuit Breaker (185120) has been approved for use this season. This main circuit breaker provides teams with an additional option which may be available from local auto parts retailers in some geographies.

ThriftyBot Thrifty Power Hub

The Thrifty PowerHub is a newly approved main power distribution device. It features 24 ATO-sized channels with spring-loaded lever lock connectors in addition to a screw terminal input which supports up to 0AWG wire. It also includes current logging over CAN or USB on every channel as an added debugging benefit for the robot. More information can be found on the product page.

ThriftyBot Thrifty Breakers

Thrifty Breakers are a new way to power your mechanisms. These breakers come in 40A, 30A, 20A, and 10A variants. These fit in standard ATO channels and are compatible with all currently released power distribution devices. They also come in fun Thrifty Bot colors! More information can be found on the product page. 

REV Robotics SPARK Lite

The REV Robotics SPARK Lite Motor Controller is a low cost controller designed to provide the essential features to easily drive high-powered motors. It is capable of driving any standalone FIRST Robotics Competition brushless or brushed motor. 1/2in grid mounting holes make the compact controller compatible with many standard FIRST Robotics Competition building systems. More information can be found on the REV Robotics product page.

Vivid Technologies VH-109 Robot Radio V2

Vivid-Hosting has rebranded as Vivid Technologies. The newly released Robot Radio V2 offers several improvements over the V1 and V1.5 Robot radios, such as support for 5 GHz, better thermal management, better visibility of the status LEDs, improved wireless performance, and support for active PoE (802.3at). Vivid Technologies and FIRST^® will continue to support the use of V1 and V1.5 models of the radio at official events (other than China). V2 radios will be provided in the Kit of Parts this season in all Rookie Totes and to all teams in China and will be used as the exclusive robot radio for the events taking place in China.

Digital Animation Award for FIRST CANOPY Season

Collin Fultz, Vice President, FIRST Robotics Competition & FIRST Tech Challenge — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:48:55 GMT

Updated 10/22 at ~3pm ET: There was a typo on the original theme which has now been updated.

We are excited to announce that the Digital Animation Award is available for FIRST^® Tech Challenge and FIRST^® Robotics Competition teams this season! We are also excited to announce that FIRST^® Crown Supplier Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) will again be our sponsor for the Digital Animation Award!

Digital Animation Award sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Theme: Rewild the Future

For the 2026-2027 season, imagine a future where STEM and nature work together to bring an ecosystem back to life.

Important Dates:

October 20, 2026 – Submission opens on WPI’s website
January 12, 2027 – Videos must be uploaded to YouTube, or similar video streaming service, and submitted via a form no later than 11:59 pm EST.

More Info: Visit the Digital Animation Award webpage for more information!

Team LASER: Putting Gracious Professionalism Into Action

FIRST Staff — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:02 GMT

What began as one team’s way of honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Woodie Flowers has grown into a global celebration of Gracious Professionalism^®.

FIRST^®Robotics Competition Team 3284 “LASER” from Camdenton, Missouri, founded Walk Like Woodie Day in 2019 as a tribute to the late Dr. Woodie Flowers and the values he championed. Now, every October students and teams from around the world come together to celebrate Walk Like Woodie Day and put those values into action, recognizing the importance of respect, kindness, and support for everyone in the FIRST^®community.

In honor of Walk Like Woodie Day, we caught up with Team LASER to learn more about the ways their team lives out Gracious Professionalism, from the initiatives they lead within their community to the lasting impact they hope to make beyond FIRST.

FIRST Staff: How do students on your team apply Gracious Professionalism to other aspects of their lives?

Team LASER: Our students use Gracious Professionalism in their everyday lives by choosing kindness, upholding a good attitude, and lending a helping hand to those in need everywhere they go. Students grow through FIRST with Core Values and carry those same values with them throughout their entire lives, using them to then help mold future students into STEM leaders and visionaries.

FIRST Staff: Why is it important to your team to carry the legacy of Gracious Professionalism forward?

Team LASER: Carrying the legacy of Gracious Professionalism is important to our students because they witness the importance of their actions firsthand. Students see how their tenacity, generosity, and helpfulness make an everlasting impact on those around them and how one act of kindness at a time can make a true difference in the lives of others.

Students on Team LASER putting together STEM kits for their community

FIRST Staff: How does your team embody the ethos of Gracious Professionalism during each FIRST season?

Team LASER: Our team brings Gracious Professionalism to life in a number of ways. Through Operation Clean Sweep, designated team members visit other teams at competitions to offer any supplies or tools they might need. We also support our community through our initiative to provide hygiene products to anyone who needs them. We were also excited to host an Impact Exchange, where we shared tips and techniques with other teams for preparing presentations and answering questions.

FIRST Staff: How have team alumni carried the ethos into their careers?

Team LASER: Our alumni carry the spirit of Gracious Professionalism with them long after their time on the team. Several have gone on to work at companies like SpaceX and Google, where they continue to put these values into practice every day. Whether they’re challenging their peers to grow, encouraging one another to do their best, or simply lifting someone’s spirits, they show how Gracious Professionalism can make a difference in any workplace.

FIRST Alum and Mentor Finds Career Path in Manufacturing

FIRST Staff — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Meet Guy, FIRST^® alum, mentor, and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Senior Equipment Engineer at FIRST supporter GlobalFoundries. Starting his STEAM journey as a participant on FIRST^® Robotics Competition Team 1099, “The DiscoTechs” from 2013 – 2017, Guy found that most traditional STEAM skills come more naturally to him. What he really learned from FIRST were skills that helped take his career to the next level – such as communication, teamwork, goal setting, and managing time and stress.

Today, Guy applies his FIRST-gained skills in his career and shares his knowledge and experiences as a FIRST event volunteer and a mentor of FIRST Robotics Competition Teams 9101 “Green Mountain Robotics” and 11269 “Batteries Not Included.”

Keep reading to learn more about Guy and his STEAM journey.

FIRST Staff: Can you share some information about your current role at GlobalFoundries?

Guy: I manage the “tooling” for a fleet of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) semiconductor manufacturing tools. In short, the CVD process takes volatile gasses like Silicon Tetrahydride (or Silane) under vacuum, high heat (350+ degrees C) and sometimes plasma-enhanced conditions to react and build microscopic-thin film layers of insulating dielectrics or conductive paths on a wafer surface.

My focus is primarily on the equipment/tool itself rather than the process or recipes. Think managing costly spare parts, facility upgrades, preventative maintenance, risk management, and sensorizing older equipment for better signal detection.

FIRST Staff: What is your favorite part of your current role as a Senior Equipment Engineer at GlobalFoundries?

Guy: Problem solving. I have a constant stream of repeated and new types of fail modes for my tools, all with similar or dissimilar root causes. I love being able to sit down, research, identify, plan, coordinate, and execute a game plan to solve a given issue with the right subject matter experts, short timeline, limited budget, and rigid process parameters and constraints.

FIRST Staff: What is the hardest part of your job?

Guy: The needs of semiconductor manufacturing constantly fluctuate several times a day. The ability to adapt to a change of priorities on a moment’s notice with quick, critical thinking is crucial. Personal safety, product quality, tool and chamber health, as well as the entire manufacturing line are all affected; from performing maintenance on a tool, recovering an errored tool that has faulted, to qualifying new technologies.

FIRST Staff: How do you use STEAM skills in your everyday work?

Guy: FIRST exposed me to several technical skills through STEAM and beyond. I have always been mechanically inclined, so learning how to use any kind of tool or software comes naturally. Instead, I feel I have benefited more from professional skills such as being more empathetic to those around me and effectively communicating with my colleagues and coworkers. I also exercise patience, set goals, and manage time and stress daily. These skills help my whole team and me in our group objectives.

FIRST Staff: Can you share your thoughts on the impact of your personal/professional work in STEAM?

Guy: I continued my journey with FIRST after graduating from high school. Since college, I have volunteered at numerous New England FIRST Robotics Competition District events, mentored four FIRST Robotics Competition teams across both Connecticut and Vermont and continued to drive the importance of FIRST through GlobalFoundries and the state of Vermont.

I wanted to be able to share my own experiences from a FIRST team with the next generation of students and communities to better the world ahead of us.

FIRST Staff: Who is a “Person of STEAM” who inspires you?

Guy: Sara Skloss - my coworker and fellow alum and mentor. Her dedication to the CFM/Metrology team here at GlobalFoundries is astounding. She presents such a deep understanding of the measurement tool software processes as well as a drive to ensure everything is correct. Her attention to detail is matched only by her ability to think of creative and out-of-the-box ways to get students involved with FIRST. Not to mention, she is a phenomenal photographer!

FIRST Staff: If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Guy: Do not be afraid to fail. Failing is how we learn the most from any given circumstance. It is better to try and fail than not to try at all.

FIRST Staff: Do you have a message you want to share for students who are participating in FIRST today?

Guy: FIRST provides the opportunity to try so many different things outside your comfort zone. On any team, do not be afraid to give support to an area that is struggling or you were not initially interested in. I was able to pick up so many professional skills by supporting the business aspects of a team that were not focused on robots! Ask questions, make mistakes, and learn! Cherish your time on any FIRST team, because there is truly nothing else like it.

Are you a person of STEAM? Share your story with #PeopleofSTEAM on social media or send us your story at marketing@firstinspires.org.